Animal waste disposal apparatus

ABSTRACT

A pet waste disposal apparatus having an open top container, a sloping floor surface, an outlet drain, a pair of spaced apart support bars located within and connecting the side walls of the container, a walking board supported on the support bars, a first roller located between the first end of the walking board and a second roller located between the second end of the walking board, a waste inlet located between the first roller and the first end of the container, a rotating belt having an artificial turf exterior surface and tensioned mounted to the rollers, an electrically driven cover plate moveable between a closed and opened position, a spray cleaning system located within the container for cleaning the rotating belt of wastes and directing pet wastes out of the container and a motor for powering rollers, the cover plate, and the spray cleaning system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to pet waste disposal and, morespecifically to a pet waste disposal system that deposits pet wastedirectly into the sewer system with minimal human interaction with thepet waste.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The most environmentally safe way to dispose of pet waste is through acity's waste treatment facilities where it can be processedappropriately. Currently, most methods of getting the pet waste into thesewer systems involves human interaction with the waste namely pickingup the pet waste by hand, which is undesirable and may have sanitaryrelated issues.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem byproviding a pet waste disposal system that deposits pet waste directlyinto the sewer system without any human interaction or the need to pickthe pet waste up by hand or any handheld or hand operated device. In usethe pet eliminates directly onto an artificial turf that is fashionedinto a belt and mounted on rollers. When the turf belt is rotatedpreferably by a motorized gear system, the pet waste is dropped into acollection basin and then flushed with sprayers into a pipe which isconnected to an existing sewer system. The underside of the turf belt iscleaned with sprayers inside the basin. The system is designed foroutdoor or indoor use, in commercial or residential settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a pet waste disposal apparatusthat includes a waterproof open top container having a first end, asecond end, a pair of sidewalls. Located within the waterproof open topcontainer is a floor surface sloping from the first end to the secondend of the open top container. An outlet drain located on the second endof the open top container connects the floor surface to an existingsewer line for receiving pet waste from the open top containertherethrough.

The pet waste disposal apparatus also includes a pair of spaced apartsupport bars located within the open top container and connecting theside walls of the open top container and a water and weather proofwalking board having a first end, a second end and a top surface. Thewalking board is fixedly supported on the pair of support bars betweenthe pair of sidewalls of the open top container. The pet waste disposalapparatus also includes a first electrically driven roller locatedbetween the first end of the walking board and the first end of the opentop container and supported at least partially within the open topcontainer by the pair of the walls and a second electrically drivenroller located between the second end of the walking board and thesecond end of the open top container and supported at least partiallywithin the open top container by the pair of the walls.

The pet waste disposal apparatus further includes a rotating belt havinga waterproof artificial turf exterior surface and an interior surfaceand is tensioned mounted to the pet waste disposal apparatus by theengagement of the inner interior surface of the rotating belt to theexterior surfaces of the first and second electrically driven rollersand the top surface of the walking board. Located between the firstroller and the first end of the open top container is a pet waste inletfor receiving pet waste from the waterproof artificial turf exteriorsurface when pet waste disposal apparatus is in use.

The pet waste disposal apparatus also includes an electrically drivencover plate mounted proximal the first end of the open top container andmoveable in an angular direction between a closed position and an openedposition to allow the pet waste inlet to receive pet waste from therotating belt into the open top container and a spray cleaning systemlocated within the open top container with the spray cleaning systemhaving at least one sprayer for cleaning the waterproof artificial turfexterior surface of the rotating belt of pet wastes while simultaneouslydirecting pet wastes located on the floor surface of the containerthrough the outlet of the open top container and at least one motor forpowering at least one of electrically driven rollers, the electricallydriven cover plate, and the spray cleaning system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a blow-up view of an embodiment of a pet waste disposalapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the pet waste disposal apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the pet waste disposal apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pet waste disposal apparatus ofFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention reduces or solves the problem associated with anenvironmentally safe and friendly way to dispose of pet waste throughthe waste treatment facilities where it can be processed appropriatelywith minimal human interaction with the waste.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, FIG. 1 is a blow-up view, FIG. 2 is a crosssectional view, FIG. 3 is a top view, and FIG. 4 is a partialcross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention thatincludes a pet waste disposal apparatus 10 having a basin or awaterproof open top container 11 with a first end 11 a, a second end 11b, and a pair of sidewalls 11 c. The waterproof open top container 11includes a floor surface and preferably a V-shaped floor surface 12located within an interior of the open top container 11 with theV-shaped floor surface 12 sloping from the first end 11 a to the secondend 11 b of the open top container 11. The waterproof open top container11 preferably is made of a durable, waterproof material that canwithstand extreme temperatures

Pet waste disposal apparatus 10 includes a drain outlet 13 located onthe second end 11 b of the open top container 11. Drain outlet 13 isshown connected to the V-shaped floor surface 12 and an existing sewerpipe line 14 to facilitate the transfer of pet waste collected withinthe open top container 11 to the waste treatment facilities. Althoughnot shown, drain outlet 13 may comprise a standard size hole thatconnects to a sewer drain pipe with the sewer drain pipe preferablyincluding a P-trap located a short distance after the waste leaves theopen top container 11 to prevent sewer gas from escaping. The drain pipeis then connected to existing sewer pipe 14.

Pet waste disposal apparatus 10 also includes a pair of spaced apartsupport bars 15 located within the open top container 11 and connectingthe side walls 11 c of the open top container 11. A water and weatherproof walking board 16 having a first end 16 a, a second end 16 b and atop surface 16 c is shown supported on the pair of support bars 15between the pair of sidewalls 11 c of the open top container 11 in aremovably fixed condition. Although walking board 16 may be supported onthe support bars 15 by a plurality of means, in the embodiment of FIGS.1 and 2 walking board 16 is shown supported on the pair of support bars15 through the engagement of a pair of notches located on an undersideof walking board 16 with the corresponding pair of support bars 15. Thewalking board of the present invention may comprise of a plurality ofmaterials as long as the material is smooth, durable, water and weatherproof, preferably rigid, and can withstand extreme temperatures. Anexample of a suitable walking board includes a skid plate.

Pet waste disposal apparatus 10 also includes a first electricallydriven roller 18 and a second electrically driven roller 20. The firstelectrically driven roller 18 is located between the first end 16 a ofthe walking board 16 and the first end 11 a of the open top container 11and supported at least partially within the open top container 11 by thepair of the walls 11 c. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 firstelectrically driven roller 18 are specifically shown supported at leastpartially within the open top container 11 by a set of U-Shaped slot 19,19 a located on the pair of the walls 11 c.

Located between the first roller 18 and the first end 11 a of the opentop container 11 is a pet waste inlet 22 for receiving pet wastetherethrough when pet waste disposal apparatus 10 is in use.

The second electrically driven roller 20 is located between the secondend 16 b of the walking board 16 and the second end 11 b of the open topcontainer 11 and supported at least partially within the open topcontainer 11 by the pair of the side walls 11 c.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 second electrically driven roller 20is specifically shown supported at least partially within the open topcontainer 11 by a pair of opened top slots 21, 21 a located on the pairof the walls 11 c. A feature of receiving slots 21 and 21 a is thatreceiving slots 21 and 21 a allows for tension adjustment of secondelectrically driven roller 20.

In regards to the rollers of the present invention, In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, the first electrically driven roller 18 and the secondelectrically driven roller 20 are shown located completely within theopen top container 11. Although pet waste disposal apparatus 10 showsthe use of two electrically driven rollers 18, 20, alternativeembodiments of the present invention may include the use of more than 2electrically driven rollers and at least one electrically driven rollerand at least one free rotating or free moving roller.

The rollers are sized so that they expand the width of the open topcontainer 11. Although the rollers may vary in size depending on thesize and specific request of the owners of pet waste disposal apparatus10, the rollers of pet waste disposal apparatus 10 normally rangebetween 1-5 inches in diameter. Preferably, the rollers are made of adurable material which can withstand extreme temperatures and wetconditions and are adjustable and removable from the open top container11.

Pet waste disposal apparatus 10 further includes a rotating belt 23having a waterproof artificial turf exterior surface 24 and an interiorsurface 25. It is noted that turf exterior surface 24 may comprise amanufactured grass or lawn which is fashioned into rotating belt 23. Afeature of turf exterior surface 24 is that turf exterior surface 24 isdurable and yet flexible. Preferably, the grass blades are of mediumlength and of a texture that is comfortable for dogs to walk on.Preferably, the turf exterior surface 24 is easy to clean and odorresistant.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 rotating belt 23 is shown tensioned mountedto the first and second electrically driven rollers 18, 20 by theengagement of the inner interior surface 25 of the rotating belt 23 tothe exterior surfaces of the first and second electrically drivenrollers 18, 20 and the top surface 16 c of the walking board 16. Themounting fit of rotating belt 23 to pet waste disposal apparatus 10 maybe adjusted through the tension adjustment of second electrically drivenroller 20.

Pet waste disposal apparatus 10 also includes an electrically drivencover plate 26 mounted, and preferably mounted, to a hinge 27 proximalthe first end 11 a of the open top container 11 and moveable in anangular direction 0 between a closed position and an opened position toallow the pet waste inlet 22 to receive pet waste 28 from the rotatingbelt 23 into the open top container 11 for pet waste collection. Theelectrically driven cover plate 26 is preferably made of a durablematerial that can withstand extreme temperatures. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3 the electrically driven cover plate 26 comprises a mesh on ametal framework to deter the dog from defecating in that area and allowfor urine or feces to fall through into the open top container 11.

FIGS. 2 and 3 also shows an optional cover plate 35 removably attachedto the open top container 11 and located between the second electricallydriven roller 20 and the second end of open top container 11 b withcover plate 35 functioning to limit access to the interior of open topcontainer 11.

In order to clean and sanitize the rotating belt 23 pet waste disposalapparatus 10 includes a spray cleaning system 29 located within the opentop container 11 with the spray cleaning system 29 having at least onesprayer for cleaning the waterproof artificial turf exterior surface 24of the rotating belt 23 of pet wastes 28 while simultaneously directingpet waste 28 located on the V-shaped floor surface 12 of the open topcontainer 11 through the drain outlet 13 of the open top container 11and into the existing sewer pipe 14 to facilitate the transfer of petwaste collected within the open top container 11 to the waste treatmentfacilities. In the Embodiment of FIG. 2, spray cleaning system 29 isshown having a rotating belt cleaning sprayer 30 and a floor surfacecleaning sprayer 31. Although not shown the spray cleaning system of thepresent invention may include further sprayers for cleaning other areaswithin open top container 11 and may also be located at different regionareas within open top container 11 including but not limited tocompletely underneath the rotating belt 23 and on floor surface 12. Thespray cleaning system is preferably designed to be hooked up to anexisting water supply through a leak-proof connection.

Pet waste disposal apparatus 10 also includes at least one motor 32 forpowering at least one of the electrically driven rollers 18, 20, theelectrically driven cover plate 26, and the spray cleaning system 29. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 3, the motor 32 is shown located on an exteriorof the open top container 11. It is noted that alternative embodimentsof the present invention may include a separate motor for powering theat least one if not both of the electrically driven rollers 18, 20, aseparate motor for powering the electrically driven cover plate 26, anda separate motor for powering the spray cleaning system 29.

FIG. 3 also shows an external control system 33 located on an exteriorof the open top container 11 and connected to motor 32 with externalcontrol system 33 functioning to control and operate the electricallydriven rollers 18, 20, the electrically driven cover plate 26, and thespray cleaning system 29. FIG. 3 also shows a power source 34 connectedto motor 32 to provide the necessary fuel to power the operation of petwaste disposal apparatus 10. Power source 34 may comprise of a varietysources including but not limited the traditional power grids andalternative power sources including solar power and wind power.

Preferably, control system 33 comprises a remote-control unit and mayinclude and also operate various safety features, such as but notlimited to a weight sensor which will prevent motor 32 from turning onwhen there is a designated amount of weight on the walking board 16, amechanism of sensing pressure or movement on the rotating belt 23, amotion detector, light sensors, weight sensor or other feedbackmechanism which will turn off the motor and/or disengage the gear systemunder predetermined conditions.

The control system 33 also may operate a heating system and any otherelectronic mechanisms on pet waste disposal apparatus 10. Although notshown, the heating system may comprise weather and waterproof heatingelements located on or embedded within various components of pet wastedisposal apparatus 10 and functions to prevent freezing when used incold weather climates. For example, a heating system of pet wastedisposal apparatus 10 may comprise heating elements that are mounted topet waste disposal apparatus 10 in such a way as to prevent the rotatingbelt 23, the spray cleaning system 29 or the motor 32 from freezing.Preferable locations for the heating element include but is not limitedto the underside of the walking board 16, under the V-shaped floorsurface 12 of the open top container 11, under a motor encasement formotor 32, and around the walls of the open top container 11.

The pet waste disposal apparatus 10 of the present invention may alsoinclude other options available to the potential users including but notlimited to a place to attach a “pee hydrant” or “pee tree” to the petwaste disposal apparatus 10, a waterproof coating of the rotating belt23, optional unit sizes of small, medium and large, a cleaning solutiondispenser added to the spray cleaning system 29, a variety of colors forturf exterior surface 24.

In the general operation of pet waste disposal apparatus 10, pets suchas canines will defecate on the waterproof artificial turf exteriorsurface 24 of rotating belt 23. A signal will be sent to motor 32 suchas by control system 33 to rotate the electrically driven rollers 18, 20resulting in the rotation of rotating belt 23. The rotation of rotatingbelt 23 will in turn signal for the angular movement of electricallydriven cover plate 26 from a closed position to an opened position toallow the pet waste inlet 22 to receive pet waste 28 dropped from therotating belt 23 into the open top container 11 for pet wastecollection. In order to clean off any residue pet waste that did notdrop from rotating belt 23 spray cleaning system 29 is activated, whichpowers rotating belt cleaning sprayer 30 to shoot a continuous jetstream of water or a combined water and cleaning solution at thewaterproof artificial turf exterior surface 24 of the rotating belt 23to remove any remaining pet waste from waterproof artificial turfexterior surface 24. The floor surface cleaning sprayer 31 of spraycleaning system 29 is also activated to shoot a jet stream of water orcombined water and cleaning solution at the V-shaped floor surface 12 ofthe open top container 11 to simultaneously direct pet waste 28 locatedon the V-shaped floor surface 12 of the open top container 11 throughthe drain outlet 13 of the open top container 11 and into the existingsewer pipe 14 to facilitate the transfer of pet waste collected withinthe open top container 11 to the waste treatment facilities.

1. A pet waste disposal apparatus comprising: a waterproof open topcontainer having a first end, a second end, a pair of sidewalls; a floorsurface located within the open top container with the floor slopingfrom the first end to the second end of the open top container; anoutlet drain located on the second end of the open top container andconnected to the floor surface, the outlet drain connectable to anexisting sewer line for receiving pet waste within the open topcontainer; a pair of spaced apart support bars located within the opentop container and connecting the side walls of the open top container; awater and weather proof walking board having a first end, a second endand a top surface, the walking board fixedly supported on the pair ofsupport bars between the pair of sidewalls of the open top container; afirst electrically driven roller located between the first end of thewalking board and the first end of the open top container and supportedat least partially within the open top container by the pair of thewalls; a second electrically driven roller located between the secondend of the walking board and the second end of the open top containerand supported at least partially within the open top container by thepair of the walls; a pet waste inlet located between the first rollerand the first end of the open top container; a rotating belt having awaterproof artificial turf exterior surface and an interior surface, therotating belt tensioned mounted by the engagement of the inner interiorsurface of the rotating belt to the exterior surfaces of the first andsecond electrically driven rollers and the top surface of the walkingboard; an electrically driven cover plate mounted proximal the first endof the open top container and moveable in an angular direction between aclosed position and an opened position to allow the pet waste inlet toreceive pet waste from the rotating belt into the open top container; aspray cleaning system located within the open top container, the spraycleaning system having at least one sprayer for cleaning the waterproofartificial turf exterior surface of the rotating belt of pet wasteswhile simultaneously directing pet wastes located on the floor surfaceof the container through the outlet of the open top container; and atleast one motor for powering at least one of electrically drivenrollers, the electrically driven cover plate, and the spray cleaningsystem.
 2. The pet waste disposal apparatus of claim 1 wherein the floorsurface comprises a v-shaped floor surface sloping from the first end tothe second end of the open top container.
 3. The pet waste disposalapparatus of claim 1 wherein the walking board comprises a skid plate.4. The pet waste disposal apparatus of claim 1 wherein the firstelectrically driven roller and the second electrically driven roller arelocated completely within the open top container.
 5. The pet wastedisposal apparatus of claim 1 including a removable cover plate locatedbetween the second electrically driven roller and the second end of theopen top container.
 6. The pet waste disposal apparatus of claim 1wherein the spray cleaning system is located underneath the rotatingbelt.
 7. The pet waste disposal apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spraycleaning system includes a rotating belt cleaning sprayer and a floorsurface cleaning sprayer.
 8. The pet waste disposal apparatus of claim 1wherein the at least one motor comprise a first motor for powering theat least one of electrically driven rollers, a second motor for poweringthe electrically driven cover plate, and a third motor for powering thespray cleaning system.
 9. The pet waste disposal apparatus of claim 1wherein the electrically driven rollers, the electrically driven coverplate, and the spray cleaning system are all controlled by a controlsystem.
 10. The pet waste disposal apparatus of claim 1 wherein the atleast one motor is located on an exterior of the open top container. 11.A pet waste disposal apparatus comprising: a waterproof open topcontainer having a first end, a second end, a pair of sidewalls; asloping floor surface located within the open top container; an outletdrain connected to the sloping floor surface and connectable to anexisting sewer line for receiving pet waste within the open topcontainer; a pair of spaced apart support bars located within the opentop container and connecting the side walls of the open top container; awater and weather proof walking board having a first end, a second endand a top surface, the walking board fixedly supported on the pair ofsupport bars between the pair of sidewalls of the open top container; afirst electrically driven roller located between the first end of thewalking board and the first end of the open top container and supportedat least partially within the open top container by the pair of thewalls; a second electrically driven roller located between the secondend of the walking board and the second end of the open top containerand supported at least partially within the open top container by thepair of the walls; a pet waste inlet located between the first rollerand the first end of the open top container; a rotating belt having awaterproof artificial turf exterior surface and an interior surface, therotating belt tensioned mounted by the engagement of the inner interiorsurface of the rotating belt to the exterior surfaces of the first andsecond electrically driven rollers and the top surface of the walkingboard; an electrically driven cover plate mounted proximal the first endof the open top container and moveable in an angular direction between aclosed position and an opened position to allow the pet waste inlet toreceive pet waste from the rotating belt into the open top container; aspray cleaning system located within the open top container, the spraycleaning system having at least one sprayer for cleaning the waterproofartificial turf exterior surface of the rotating belt of pet wasteswhile simultaneously directing pet wastes located on the floor surfaceof the container through the outlet of the open top container; and atleast one motor for powering at least one of electrically drivenrollers, the electrically driven cover plate, and the spray cleaningsystem.
 12. The pet waste disposal apparatus of claim 11 wherein thesloping floor surface slops comprises a V-shaped floor surface slopingfrom the first end to the second end of the open top container.
 13. Thepet waste disposal apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first electricallydriven roller and the second electrically driven roller are locatedcompletely within the open top container.
 14. The pet waste disposalapparatus of claim 13 wherein the electrically driven rollers, theelectrically driven cover plate, and the spray cleaning system are allcontrolled by a control system.
 15. The pet waste disposal apparatus ofclaim 14 wherein the at least one motor is located on an exterior of theopen top container.
 16. The pet waste disposal apparatus of claim 15wherein the spray cleaning system is located underneath the rotatingbelt.
 17. The pet waste disposal apparatus of claim 16 wherein the spraycleaning system includes a rotating belt cleaning sprayer and a floorsurface cleaning sprayer.
 18. A pet waste disposal apparatus comprising:a waterproof open top container having a first end, a second end, a pairof sidewalls; a V-shaped floor surface located within the open topcontainer with the floor sloping from the first end to the second end ofthe open top container; an outlet drain located on the second end of theopen top container and connected to the floor surface, the outlet drainconnectable to an existing sewer line for receiving pet waste within theopen top container; a pair of spaced apart support bars located withinthe open top container and connecting the side walls of the open topcontainer; a water and weather proof walking board having a first end, asecond end and a top surface, the walking board fixedly supported on thepair of support bars between the pair of sidewalls of the open topcontainer; a first electrically driven roller located between the firstend of the walking board and the first end of the open top container andsupported completely within the open top container by the pair of thewalls; a second electrically driven roller located between the secondend of the walking board and the second end of the open top containerand supported completely within the open top container by the pair ofthe walls; a pet waste inlet located between the first roller and thefirst end of the open top container; a rotating belt having a waterproofartificial turf exterior surface and an interior surface, the rotatingbelt tensioned mounted by the engagement of the inner interior surfaceof the rotating belt to the exterior surfaces of the first and secondelectrically driven rollers and the top surface of the walking board; anelectrically driven cover plate mounted proximal the first end of theopen top container and moveable in an angular direction between a closedposition and an opened position to allow the pet waste inlet to receivepet waste from the rotating belt into the open top container; a spraycleaning system located within the open top container underneath therotating belt, the spray cleaning system having at least one sprayer forcleaning the waterproof artificial turf exterior surface of the rotatingbelt of pet wastes while simultaneously directing pet wastes located onthe floor surface of the container through the outlet of the open topcontainer; at least one motor located on an exterior of the open topcontainer for powering at least one of electrically driven rollers, theelectrically driven cover plate, and the spray cleaning system; and acontrol system remotely controlling the electrically driven rollers, theelectrically driven cover plate, and the spray cleaning system.
 19. Thepet waste disposal apparatus of claim 18 wherein the spray cleaningsystem includes a rotating belt cleaning sprayer and a floor surfacecleaning sprayer.
 20. The pet waste disposal apparatus of claim 19wherein the at least one motor comprise a first motor for powering theat least one of electrically driven rollers, a second motor for poweringthe electrically driven cover plate, and a third motor for powering thespray cleaning system.